In 1969, Millions of peace demonstrators staged activities across the country, including a candlelight march around the White House, as part of a moratorium against the Vietnam War.

In 1973, the Who released the album, "Quadrophenia."

In 1977, Debby Boone topped the charts with the song, "You Light Up My Life."

In 1989, Wayne Gretzky surpassed Gordie Howe as the highest scorer in National Hockey League history.

In 1991, despite the charges of sexual harassment brought by Anita Hill, Clarence Thomas was confirmed as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, 52-48. It was the narrowest margin in nearly a century. At the age of 43, Thomas became the first black conservative and the youngest to be confirmed.

In 1993, Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk were named winners of the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to end apartheid.

In 2003, a Staten Island Ferry collided with a pier on the New York island as it was attempting to dock. At least ten people were killed and dozens of others injured.

In 2007, comedian-actor Drew Carey made his debut as host of the long-running CBS game show "The Price Is Right."

In 2008, 87-year-old former First Lady Nancy Reagan was hospitalized in Los Angeles for a broken pelvis suffered during a fall at her home. On the same day, Vice President Dick Cheney underwent a procedure at George Washington University Hospital to correct an abnormal heart rhythm detected during a visit with his doctors.

In 2009, Colorado authorities and military personnel were dispatched to track a helium-filled balloon, mistakenly believed to have lifted off with a six-year-old boy inside. When the balloon landed, authorities quickly discovered there was no one inside the flying-saucer-like balloon. The child was found hiding inside a cardboard box in the attic of his parents' house in Fort Collins.